In a candid interview with The Ethiopian Reporter, Gebru Asrat, former member of the TPLF and long-time president of the Tigray region, provided an insightful analysis of the challenges facing the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Reflecting on the party’s current state, Gebru acknowledged that the TPLF can no longer govern Tigray as it once did, given the increasing calls for change. He compared the current situation in Tigray to the broader unrest in Ethiopia that culminated in the political transformation of 2018.
When asked about internal factions, Gebru mentioned that the faction led by Getachew has advocated for reforms, particularly concerning the separation of the party from business interests and the push for democracy. However, he was clear in identifying leadership as one of the core issues. According to Gebru, this problem traces back to the era of Meles Zenawi, whom he criticized for lacking a long-term vision and failing to mobilize the population effectively.
Gebru also questioned the much-touted economic achievements under Meles’ leadership, noting that while the economy grew, it was accompanied by significant debt. He argued that the benefits of this growth were largely restricted to those affiliated with the party, rather than being equitably distributed among the people.
Commenting on the current TPLF leadership, Gebru described them as kleptocrats, with little regard for justice or democracy. When asked specifically about Debretsion Gebremichael, Gebru emphasized that the broader issues within the party are structural. He characterized Debretsion as a technocrat rather than a politician.
On the ruling Prosperity Party, Gebru sees it as a continuation of the now-dissolved Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), though he views it as even worse. Along with the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region, Gebru highlighted the widespread insecurity and conflicts currently unfolding in the Amhara and Oromia regions.